Rail-joint.



PATENTED MAY 17, 1904.

J. R. OAKLEY. RAIL JOINT.

APPLICATION FILED DEC. 31. 1903.

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wrru'zssss I m W 0 0 9 W W .1 I11\ \\1 M w UNITED, V STATES Patented May 17, 1904.

PATENT OEEICE.

RAIL-JOINT.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 760,011, dated May 17, 1904.

- Application filed December 31,1903- Serial No. 187,290. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JESSE R. OAKLEY, of Braddock, Allegheny county, and State of Pennsylvania, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Rail-Joints, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, forming part of this specification, in which Figure 1 is a plan with the rail partly broken away to Show the base-plate. Fig. 2 is a side elevation. Fig. 3 is an end elevation; and Fig. 4, a View similar to Fig. 3, showing modified form of the base-plate, the rib on its under side being removed.

The object of my invention is to provide a rail-joint having angle-bars the outer edges of which coact with ribs on a base-plate, the base-plate having thinned portions which will allow the angle-bars to be pulled tightly to place when they are worn by means of bolts extending through the rails and also bolts extending vertically through the angle-bars and base-plate.

The further object of the invention is to provide such a construction the different parts of which can be easily rolled and sheared to length.

In the drawings, 2 represents the base-plate, having on its upper face longitudinal projections 3 3 with their inner sides inclined or beveled.

4 4 are the angle-bars, having the outer edges of their horizontal legs beveled to fit against the beveled faces 5 5 of the projections on the base-plate.

6 6 are bolts for securing the rails to the splice-plates, and 7 7 are bolts for securing the angle-bars and rails in position on the baseplate.

By the use of a base-plate with projections on its upper face and angle-bars having the outer edges of their horizontal legs beveled to engage similar beveled faces on the projections of the base-plate the angle-bars are securely held in position against the heads of the rails and on the base-plate, any outward spreading of the angle-bars is prevented, and

excessive strain on the bolts which would result through such spreading is avoided. I

preferably provide the base-plate with a depending rib 8 to strengthen it and make it stiffer against vertical strains.

The reduced thickness of the base-plate at its outer edges. as shown at a a, makes the base-plate flexible at Such points and enables it to be sprung or bent by the vertical bolts sufiiciently to maintain a tight bearing of the beveled meeting faces and to adjust any slight difierence in the Width of the base-plate and angle-bars which might occur in rolling or from wear in extended use and in this manner keeps the rails and splice-plates in position on the base-plate. By the use of a base-plate to gether withthe angle-bars the joint is greatly strengthened and bending of the rails at the joint caused by the heavy trains passing over the track is prevented. By always keeping a tight bearing between the meeting faces of the bars and base-plates a much stronger and more rigid joint is had than heretofore possible. When the rail-joint is used with metal ties, by extending the vertical bolts for holding the splice-plates in position through the metal tie the rails are firmly held on the ties and spreading of the track is prevented. When used in connection with wooden ties, the joints may be fastened by lag screws through the vertical bolt-holes which come over the ties or may be spiked to the ties in the usual manner.

The rib on the under side of the base-plate may be cut away where it rests on the ties, or Suitable recesses may be cut in the ties to admit the rib, or, as shown in Fig. 4, the rib may be omitted entirely.

In repairs to a broken track-rail by applying the rail-joint to the fracture the traffic is quickly resumed and no delay from drilling the broken rail is necessary, as the rail-joint may be placed in position and trains safely passed over the track at the break without using the horizontal bolts through the rail and angle bars. Holes for these bolts may be drilled when convenient.

Variations may be made in the apparatus without departing from my invention, since What I claim is 1. In a rail-joint, the combination with the rails, of angle-bars, a base-plate having flexible portions with retaining projections engaging the angle-bars, bolts extending through rails and angle bars and bolts extending through the angle-bars and base-plates; substantially as described.

2. In a rail-joint, the combination with the rails, of angle-bars having their horizontal leg portions extended horizontally beyond the edge of the rail and provided with flat lower faces substantially flush with the bottom face of the rail, said leg portions having holes beyond the edge of the rail; substantially as described.

3. In a rail-joint, the combination with the rails of angle-bars, a base-plate having flexible portions with retaining projections engaging the angle bars, and bolts extending JESSE R. OAKLEY.

Witnesses:

R. D. LITTLE, W. H. 00121312131. 

